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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 6:17-27

The people had religiously observed the orders given them concerning the besieging of Jericho, and now at length Joshua had told them (Josh. 6:16), ?The Lord hath given you the city, enter and take possession.? Accordingly in these verses we have, I. The rules they were to observe in taking possession. God gives it to them, and therefore may direct it to what uses and intents, and clog it with what provisos and limitations he thinks fit. It is given to them to be devoted to God, as the first... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:15

And it came to pass on the seventh day ,.... Which Jarchi says was the Sabbath day, and which is a common notion of the Jews F3 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 11. p. 31. Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 14. fol. 312. 2. ; but whether it was or not, it is certain that one of these seven days must be a sabbath, in which the several things ordered were done, and the procession made. Kimchi observes, that their Rabbins say this was the sabbath day; and he adds, what is pretty remarkable,"though they slew and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:16

And it came to pass at the seventh time ,.... Of their going round the city on the seventh day: and at the seventh time: when the priests blew with the trumpets ; as they did every time they compassed the city: Joshua said unto the people, shout ; both those that were armed, and those that were not; they were to make one grand and general shout at once, as when victory is obtained, or is sure, and so it follows: for the Lord hath given you the city ; intimating that it would be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:17

And the city shall be accursed ,.... Or, be a "cherem", devoted to the Lord, as it follows: even it and all that are therein, to the Lord ; the city and the inhabitants of it should be devoted to destruction, and the riches and spoil of it dedicated to sacred uses, and not become the property of the Israelites; for as this was the first city in the had of Canaan that was conquered, it was fit the firstfruits of the conquest should be the Lord's, as an acknowledgment of his gift of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:18

And you in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing ,.... From laying hold on, secreting, and enjoying as their own, what was devoted to another use: lest ye make yourselves accursed ; or a "cherem", also devoted to destruction: when ye take of the accursed thing ; any part of it, be it what it will, gold or any other metal, or raiment, and the like: and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it ; for being done secretly, and not known who did it, the whole body... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:19

But all the silver and gold, and vessels of brass and iron , are consecrated to the Lord ,.... Or rather, "for all the silver", &c.; as the particle here used sometimes signifies, and is so rendered F4 וכל "nam totum", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. : each of these metals, and whatsoever were made of them, were set apart for the Lord, and dedicated to sacred uses, and might not be converted to any other, unless what were upon their idols, which were to be burnt with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 6:15

The seventh day - they rose early - Because on this day they had to encompass the city seven times; a proof that the city could not have been very extensive, else this going round it seven times, and having time sufficient left to sack and destroy it, would have been impossible. It is evident that in the course of these seven days there must have been a Sabbath, and that on this Sabbath the host must have encompassed the city as on the other days: the Jews themselves allow this, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 6:17

The city shall be accursed - That is, it shall be devoted to destruction; ye shall take no spoils, and put all that resist to the sword. Though this may be the meaning of the word חרם cherem in some places, see the note on Leviticus 27:29 , yet here it seems to imply the total destruction of all the inhabitants, see Joshua 6:21 ; but it is likely that peace was offered to this city, and that the extermination of the inhabitants was in consequence of the rejection of this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 6:19

But all the silver , and gold - shall come into the treasury - The Brahmins will receive from any caste, however degraded, gold, silver, etc.: but to receive from Shoodras food, garments, etc., would be considered a great degradation. - Ward. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 6:15

Verse 15 15.And it came to pass on the seventh day, etc Here, also, God seemed, by leading the people so often round the city, not only to keep the matter in suspense, but purposely to sport with the miseries of the people, who were fatiguing themselves to no purpose. For why does he not order them suddenly to attack the city? Why does he keep them in their former silence, even to weariness, and not open their mouths to shout? But the happy fruit of this endurance teaches us, that there is... read more

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